PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a distinct psychiatric disability other than his service-connected bipolar disorder. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than bipolar disorder, to include PTSD, is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a 30 percent disability rating. The appeal for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA medical records and a new VA examination for the Veteran's PTSD. The TDIU claim is also part of this appeal and requires additional development.

The Board has granted separate 20 percent ratings for right knee locking and left knee locking. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and right knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise a June 2019 decision dismissing an appeal regarding the earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD. The Board found that the October 2015 claim was a freestanding earlier effective date claim, which is not permitted under law.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Bipolar Disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service stressors. The decision is based on direct evidence of a link between the Veteran's in-service experiences and his current conditions.

Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,The Veteran's PTSD disability rating is remanded due to lack of recent examination.,The Veteran's left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities are remanded as the VA opinion did not address combat participation.,The Veteran's left wrist disability is remanded as the VA opinion did not address combat participation.,The Veteran's back disability is remanded as the VA opinion did not address combat participation.,The Veteran's left leg and left ankle disabilities are remanded as the VA opinion did not address combat participation.,,

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and medical opinions to address the severity of her PTSD, service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, gynecological disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and paresthesias tip of great toes. The claims are also remanded to determine if these conditions are related to military service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with a previous directive for a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reviewed again.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for back disability, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, nervousness, right hip and groin disability, and impotence. The issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted. The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for cardiomegaly is also granted.

The Board has determined that more development is needed to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor and to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are granted as related to his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining inpatient treatment records, VA treatment records, and providing notice regarding alternative sources of evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities aggravate his sleep apnea and if his sleep apnea developed shortly after active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including attempted corroboration of in-service stressors and a VA mental health examination to determine the nature and etiology of any posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss have been addressed, with the Board finding that his PTSD warrants a 70% rating for the entire appeal period. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 24, 2020, has been denied, as well as any rating in excess of 20% from that date onwards. Additionally, entitlement to TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and she is granted TDIU. The Veteran also meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressors.